Use of the Naked-Tufted Mutant in Upland Cotton to Improve Fiber Quality, Increase Seed Oil Content, Increase Ginning Efficiency, and Reduce the Cost of Delinting

ABSTRACT

Described is a naked-tufted seed mutant line of  Gossypium hirsutum  L., developed from lines initially produced by chemical mutagenesis, which significantly reduces the formation of linters on the surface of the cotton seed. In a preferred embodiment, the lines carrying the naked seed mutation have reduced seed coat neps, reduced short fiber content, improved yarn quality, increased seed oil content, and improved AFIS fiber maturity. The naked-tufted seed of the mutant line significantly reduces the time and energy required for ginning, oil extraction, and reduces the need to delint the cotton seed prior to planting. In a preferred embodiment, the mutant is incorporated into a well-adapted commercial cultivar of upland cotton.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under Title 35 United States Code § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/957,958; Filed: Aug. 24, 2007, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cotton cultivars, methods for producing the cultivars, and products obtained from the cultivars. The present invention relates more specifically to novel mutants, and methods for developing mutant lines, in upland cotton and their incorporation into an appropriate commercial cultivar in order to develop cultivars having “quality enhancing traits” without deleterious side effects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cotton is the world's leading textile fiber and it is grown on over six million hectares in the United States (US) (USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2005). Cotton is one of the leading cash crops in the U.S. Cotton fiber generates in excess of $6 billion per year, while cottonseed oil and meal add another $500 million per year to the total US agricultural economy. More than 440,000 domestic jobs are created by cotton production and processing which has a total impact of over $40 billion on the US gross domestic product (National Cotton Council 2005). U.S. cotton exports also contribute about $2 billion per year to our trade balance.

Cotton has been selected and cultivated primarily for its fiber. Although the seed now is used in the production of oil, meal, and dairy feed, its economic value to the modern farmer for these uses is low in comparison to the economic value of the fiber, which is used to produce yarn, fabric and textile garments. Despite the greater mass per acre of seed as compared to fiber, the even greater economic value per pound of fiber as compared to seed has encouraged plant breeders to select cotton primarily for increased fiber yield and fiber quality, and only secondarily for increased seed yield and seed quality. As a result of this intense selection for genetic improvements in fiber yield, the genetic contribution to fiber yield and lint percent has increased during the last 50 years while seed size has declined.

The 1.3 billion pounds of cottonseed oil produced each year make it the third leading vegetable oil in the U.S. The cottonseed industry is a $1.2 billion industry and has historically provided up to 15% of the gross return on cotton production. Thus, there is a need to increase the yield of cottonseed oil as well as cotton fiber yield and fiber quality, while simultaneously reducing the cost of producing these commercially important products.

Nearly 20% of the U.S. total cotton production (three million bales) occurs on the High Plains of Texas. Because of the relatively poor fiber quality of the cultivars adapted to this short growing season region, this cotton has historically been sold to low value markets. Currently, there is a need to improve cotton fiber quality and seed oil content and to reduce the cost of production for the cotton cultivars adapted to this region. Studies have been conducted to determine the inheritance of improvements in fiber quality in cotton. There is a need to develop cotton seed mutants which have the potential to improve fiber quality without introducing alien genes that may reduce adaptation to production regions having a short growing season.

Ideally, the incorporation of such traits into well-adapted commercial cultivars would speed up and reduce the cost of ginning, reduce the need for delinting cotton seed used for planting, increase seed oil content, reduce the need to remove linters prior to oil extraction, and improve cotton fiber quality by reducing seed coat neps and short fiber content, thus maximizing the economic value and commercial utility of cotton crops.

The use of chemically-induced mutants has been highly successful in most major crops grown across the world but has only occasionally been used in improving cotton (Auld, et al., 1998). However, the relatively low level of genetic variability currently available in cotton would indicate this would be an ideal tool to increase genetic variability in this species. Mutagenesis has been shown to be an effective tool to create a wide range of phenotypic variation in both diploid and tetraploid Gossypium populations (Auld, et al., 2000; Larik, et al., 1983; Gaibullaev, et al., 1976; Hussein, et al., 1982 and Shattuck and Katterman, 1982. The creation of these new mutants is a powerful tool for both functional genetics and conventional genetic improvement of cotton.

The cotton cultivars adapted to the High Plains of Texas, unlike commercial upland cotton, have a narrow germplasm base that has limited the success of breeding programs attempting to improve fiber quality using conventional breeding techniques. Recent studies at Texas Tech University indicate successful mutagenesis in cotton from exposure of germinating embryos to high rates of ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). These studies of mutant lines reveal significant potential for improvement of fiber quality in cotton. Such developmental studies using chemical mutagenesis for inducing heritable variation in cotton fiber quality show promise for cotton markets where fiber quality is at a premium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel mutant in upland cotton combining improved fiber quality with increased seed oil content.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a novel mutant in upland cotton which is easily distinguishable on the basis of naked-tufted seed coat from other cotton seeds.

It is another object of the present invention to incorporate a novel mutant in upland cotton into an appropriate commercial cultivar in order to develop cultivars that consistently express characteristics of improved fiber quality, increased seed oil content, and reduced production costs to significantly reduce both the time and the energy required for ginning, oil extraction, and delinting of cottonseed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide novel cotton plants that can be used efficiently to produce parent lines possessing desirable agronomic traits.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a novel cotton plant that has seed which has reduced seed coat neps and potentially reduced short fiber content.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a Gossypium hirsutum L. seed product of a substantially homogeneous assemblage of cotton seeds which has reduced seed coat neps, reduced short fiber content, and/or increased oil content.

In accomplishing the foregoing objects, there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a naked-tufted seed mutant of Gossypium hirsutum L., from lines initially produced by chemical mutagenesis, which significantly reduces the formation of linters on the surface of the cotton seed and does not have an excessive yield penalty, i.e., reduction in lint yield and percent lint.

In a preferred embodiment, the lines carrying the naked seed mutation have reduced seed coat neps, reduced short fiber content, improved yarn quality, and improved AFIS fiber maturity characteristics. There has also been provided in accordance with the present invention a mutant cotton seed which significantly reduces the time and energy required for ginning, oil extraction, and reduced need to acid delint cotton seed prior to planting. In a preferred embodiment, this naked-tufted seed mutant is incorporated into a well-adapted commercial cultivar of upland cotton to enhance crop quality and reduce processing costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram outlining the development of the mutant lines established according to the methods of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A-2D are photo images of sample assemblages of seeds of four cotton lines demonstrating differential expression of the “naked and tufted” phenotype after saw ginning: (A) naked seed; (B) partially naked seed; (C) partially fuzzy seed; and (D) fuzzy seed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The narrow germplasm base of the upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), historically grown on the Texas high plains, has limited the improvement of fiber quality. Chemical mutagenesis and subsequent selection have helped the development of lines with improved fiber quality in cultivars adapted to this region. Based upon these developmental studies for inducing heritable variation in fiber quality, the present invention discloses a “naked seed mutant” which significantly reduces the formation of linters on the surface of the cottonseed. This mutant has been shown to significantly enhance oil content in cottonseed (r=0.68***). The naked seed mutant also has a profound impact on lint quality. The lines carrying the naked seed mutation have reduced seed coat neps (r=−0.47***), potentially reduced short fiber content, improved yarn quality and improved AFIS fiber maturity. These are the factors which have prevented successful development of ELS (Extra Long Staple) stripper varieties in Texas. This naked seed mutation can also significantly reduce both the time and energy required for ginning, oil extraction, and delinting of cottonseed. The present invention therefore provides characterization of naked-tufted seed coat mutants with respect to oil content, lint yield, lint percent, fiber quality, and yarn spinning performance.

FIG. 1 provides a schematic outline of the development of the naked-tufted mutant lines established according to the present invention. In 1996, six commercial varieties of cotton were treated with 2.45% v/v ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). In 1999, three M₃ plants were identified that had partially naked (naked-tufted) seed coats. FIGS. 2A-2D show sample assemblages of seeds of four cotton lines demonstrating differential expression of the “naked and tufted” phenotype after saw ginning: (A) naked seed; (B) partially naked seed; (C) partially fuzzy seed; and (D) fuzzy seed. From 2001 to 2004, selections from the three M₃ naked-tufted seed coat mutants were evaluated in replicated trials. These trials were conducted to stabilize this trait and to evaluate the impact of the naked-tufted phenotype on lint yield, lint percent, fiber quality, and yarn spinning performance. In 2001, the initial three mutants were visually screened for the expression of naked-tufted seed coats. Fifteen individual plants exhibiting the naked-tufted phenotype were selected and grown in the field in 2002. This process was repeated in 2003 and 2004 to generate 40 individual plant selections with naked-tufted seed coats. In 2005 and 2006, these 40 selections (M₇ lines), three parental lines and five check cultivars of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were evaluated for expression of the naked-tufted seed coat trait, lint yield and lint percent. The fibers harvested from these plots were analyzed at Texas Tech University using High Volume Instruments (HVI), Advanced Fiber Information Systems (AFIS), and standard yarn quality analyses.

These naked-tufted mutants appear to significantly reduce the occurrence of fuzz or linters (short fibers tightly attached to the seed coat in most upland cotton varieties). These mutants appear to be phenotypically similar to the “naked-tufted” mutant initially described by Endrizzi and Ray in 1991 (concluding that the N^(t) ₂ marker was a simple dominant gene, allelic to n₂, and located on the long arm of chromosome 26). Initial interest in these phenotypes was based on the hypothesis that the removal of linters during saw ginning contributed significantly to increased short fiber content in upland cotton. Consequently, genetic elimination of the linters would reduce the short fiber content while simplifying ginning, oil recovery, and delinting of cottonseed.

Turley and Kloth had earlier reported on the impact of the N₁/n₁, N₂/n₂, and the N₃/n₃ genes on lint percent in cotton (Turley and Kloth, 2002). They proposed that only the genotype, n₁n₁N₂N₂N₃N₃, would generate a normal lint percent of 40.5%. A second study by Lee et al., reported on the gene expression of the N₁N₁ genotype and its impact on fuzz development (Lee et al. 2006). Neither of these studies, however, included analyses of the N^(t) ₂ allele or an estimate of its impact on lint percent.

Based on data collected on 2005 and 2006 fiber, it appeared that a selected line with a partially naked seed coat (SC 9023-NS-57-13-3) did have reduced short fiber content, enhanced maturity, and higher quality yarn that provided exceptional performance for ring spinning applications. However, not all partially naked or naked seed coat lines show similar performance, indicating that other factors in addition to seed coat characteristic impart short fiber content and fiber maturity. Detailed analyses of the data during 2005 and 2006 showed that the five naked-tufted seed mutant lines evaluated had lint percent (turn out) that ranged from 37 to 43% compared to 39 to 43% for the normal fuzzy parental check varieties. HVI analyses did not identify this line as superior, but AFIS analyses showed that fibers produced on the naked-tufted genotypes consistently had smaller neps (Nepsize), fewer seed coat neps (SCNCnt), and often a reduced percent of short fibers (SFCn). The naked-tufted phenotype was correlated with a reduction in seed coat neps (r=−0.47**) and an increase in seed oil content (r=0.68**). The present invention reveals that selected naked-tufted mutants have comparable lint yields and lint percent of both the parental cultivars and commercial check cultivars. Several of the mutants also have very good HVI and AFIS fiber quality. The tables below provide summaries of some of the more recent research data and analysis for the naked seed mutants indicating the further establishment of the above described results.

Table 1 reveals the lint yield, percent lint, and seed nakedness for selected naked seed mutants, their original parents, and two check varieties. This comparative data indicates that the incorporation of the naked-tufted seed coat trait does not significantly alter the lint yield or turnout of the mutant lines when compared to their original parents.

TABLE 1 Lint Yield, Percent Lint and Seed Nakedness for Some Naked Seed Mutants, Their Original Parents and Two Check Varieties Lint Yield Turnout 2006 2007 2007 2007 Seed 2006 2007 Mean (LBB) (LBB)¹ (LBB)² (Col. St) Mean Nakedness Entry lbs/acre % % Atlas 1369 1583 1476 40 39 44 37 40 0.00 Atlas-NS-129-2-1-1-1 1189 1524 1357 38 41 41 33 38 0.36 SC 9023 1346 1473 1410 40 37 40 36 38 0.00 SC 9023-NS-57-13-2-1 1374 1240 1307 39 37 39 34 37 0.37 Tejas 1334 1530 1432 41 39 42 37 40 0.00 Tejas-NS-28-13-3-1-1 1207 1393 1300 43 39 40 37 40 0.36 FM 989 1255 — 1255 43 — 44 — 44 0.00 FM 958 1481 — 1481 43 — 47 41 44 0.00 CV (%) 10.8 12 4.8 5.3 4.6 5.0 8.1 LSD (0.05) 202 265 2.0 3.4 3.4 8.4 0.05

Table 2 reveals the oil content and fatty acid composition for selected naked seed mutants, their original parents, and check varieties. This comparative data indicates that the incorporation of the naked-tufted seed coat trait generally increases seed oil content in the mutant lines when compared to their original parents.

TABLE 2 Oil Content and Fatty Acid Composition for Some Naked Seed Mutants, Their Original Parents and Check Varieties. Oil Content Fatty Acid Composition* 2006 2007 Mean Palmitic Stearic Oleic Linoleic Entry % (16:0) (18:0) (18:1) (18:2) Atlas 15.4 20.1 17.8 24.5 2.7 19.6 49.6 Atlas-NS-129-2-1-1-1 17.4 20.3 18.9 22.5 2.8 19.3 54.3 SC 9023 14.8 18.4 16.6 25 2.7 17.4 51.5 SC 9023-NS-57-13-2-1 17.1 21.1 19.1 21.1 2.8 19.3 53.2 Tejas 15.9 20.7 18.3 23.6 2.7 19.8 50.8 Tejas-NS-28-13-3-1-1 16.9 19.9 18.4 24.1 2.9 18.1 51.7 FM 989 15.7 20.7 18.2 24 2.7 17.4 52.8 FM 958 15.8 20.5 18.2 24.9 2.7 18.7 50.5 CV (%) 2.4 5.2 4.8 6.5 5.6 2.5 LSD (0.05) 0.84 1.8 2.2 0.4 2.1 2.7 *Normal cotton on the average has 22% Palmitic, 15% Oleic, 49% Linoleic, and 2.7% Stearic

Table 3 reveals the lint per seed, fiber per seed, and fiber per mm² for selected naked seed mutants, their original parents, and check varieties. This comparative data indicates that the incorporation of the naked-tufted seed coat trait generally reduces the lint per seed and the fiber per seed for the mutant lines when compared to their original parents. This data supports the commercial viability of cotton products from the mutant lines.

TABLE 3 Lint per seed, Fiber per seed, and Fiber per mm² for some naked seed Mutants, their original parents and check varieties. Lint per seed Fiber per seed Fiber per mm² 2006 2007 Mean 2006 2007 Mean 2006 2007 Mean Entry (mg) (no.) (no.) Atlas 68.6 70.3 69.5 17767 19462 18615 181 192 187 Atlas-NS-129-2-1-1-1 57.0 63.3 60.2 15206 19888 17547 157 206 182 SC 9023 66.9 65.7 66.3 17013 17706 17360 173 168 171 SC 9023-NS-57-13-2-1 59.3 56.7 58.0 15652 16416 16034 161 165 163 Tejas 69.4 74.7 72.1 18636 20989 19813 194 193 194 Tejas-NS-28-13-3-1-1 72.8 75.3 74.1 18893 20032 19463 181 177 179 FM 989 76.2 78 77.1 19834 19920 19877 210 201 206 FM 958 77.6 87 82.3 19223 21432 20328 196 209 203 CV (%) 7.0 6.5 7.2 10.0 7.2 9.7 LSD (0.05) 3.8 8.2 1019 3420 10.3 32.0

Table 4a reveals AFIS Data for selected naked seed mutants, their original parents and check cultivars. This comparative data indicates that the incorporation of the naked-tufted seed coat trait generally reduces the short fiber count (percentage by weight) in the mutant lines when compared to their original parents.

TABLE 4a AFIS (Advanced Information System) Data For Some Naked Seed Mutants, Their Original Parents and Check Cultivars. Short Fiber Count (w) 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 LBB LBB¹ LBB² LBB³ Col. St Mean Entry % Atlas 5.8 9.6 8.2 7.6 7.3 7.7 Atlas-NS- 4.9 7.1 6.9 5.8 7.4 6.4 129-2-1-1-1 SC 9023 6.2 8.9 6.5 6 6.3 6.8 SC 9023-NS- 5.0 8.7 7.0 5.9 5.6 6.4 57-13-2-1 Tejas 6.4 7.3 7.1 6.2 6.4 6.7 Tejas-NS- 4.5 6.6 7.2 5.7 5.8 6.0 28-13-3-1-1 FM 989 5.1 7.3 — 5.2 — 5.9 FM 958 4.8 7.4 6.5 4.6 6.2 5.9 CV (%) 11.2 7.7 12.8 23.4 9.1 LSD (0.05) 0.7 1.1 1.6 2.4 1.0 ¹= 2007 Lubbock Naked Seed Nursery ²= 2007 Lubbock Elite Lines Nursery ³= 2007 Lubbock Hand Ginned Naked Seed Materials

Table 4b reveals further AFIS Data for selected naked seed mutants, their original parents and check cultivars. This comparative data indicates that the incorporation of the naked-tufted seed coat trait generally reduces the seed coat neps (count per gram) in the mutant lines when compared to their original parents.

TABLE 4b AFIS (Advanced Information System) Data For Some Naked Seed Mutants, Their Original Parents and Check Cultivars. Seed Coat Nep (Count) 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 LBB LBB¹ LBB² LBB³ Col. St Mean Entry gm Atlas 25.3 9.3 5.7 26.7 12.3 15.9 Atlas-NS- 11.5 9.3 5.3 12.7 7.3 9.2 129-2-1-1-1 SC 9023 26.8 10.3 17 18 8.3 16.1 SC 9023-NS- 13.1 11.3 9.7 11.3 5.0 10.1 57-13-2-1 Tejas 25.9 14 9.7 12.3 9.7 14.3 Tejas-NS- 11.6 5.7 12.7 8 7.0 9.0 28-13-3-1-1 FM 989 18.6 6.7 — 8.3 — 11.2 FM 958 21.2 5.0 7.0 15.3 5.7 10.8 CV (%) 30.5 36.6 52.6 61.1 37.4 LSD (0.05) 4.44 5.7 9.0 15.1 5.3 ¹= 2007 Lubbock Naked Seed Nursery ²= 2007 Lubbock Elite Lines Nursery ³= 2007 Lubbock Hand Ginned Naked Seed Materials

Table 4c reveals further AFIS Data for selected naked seed mutants, their original parents and check cultivars. This comparative data indicates that the incorporation of the naked-tufted seed coat trait generally maintains the upper quartile length in the mutant lines when compared to their original parents.

TABLE 4c AFIS (Advanced Information System) Data For Some Naked Seed Mutants, Their Original Parents and Check Cultivars. Upper Quartile Length 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 LBB LBB¹ LBB² LBB³ Col. St Mean Entry in Atlas 1.21 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.14 1.19 Atlas-NS- 1.28 1.212 1.22 1.25 1.19 1.23 129-2-1-1-1 SC 9023 1.29 1.27 1.24 1.31 1.17 1.26 SC 9023-NS- 1.20 1.15 1.15 1.29 1.15 1.19 57-13-2-1 Tejas 1.16 1.2 1.16 1.24 1.14 1.18 Tejas-NS- 1.23 1.19 1.21 1.24 1.18 1.21 28-13-3-1-1 FM 989 1.29 1.24 — 1.29 — 1.27 FM 958 1.29 1.24 1.26 1.28 1.2 1.25 CV (%) 1.8 1.9 1.1 2.6 1.8 LSD (0.05) 0.02 0.04 0.02 0.06 0.04 ¹= 2007 Lubbock Naked Seed Nursery ²= 2007 Lubbock Elite Lines Nursery ³= 2007 Lubbock Hand Ginned Naked Seed Materials

Table 5 states the Pearson Correlation Coefficients for several parameters for selected naked seed mutants including: seed nakedness, percent oil, lint yield, and turnout. This data provides further support for the significance of the trends shown in the above data evidencing an increase in seed oil content, and the maintenance of lint yield and turnout.

TABLE 5 Pearson Correlation Coefficients for Some Parameters for the Naked Seed Entries. N = 10 Prob > /r/ under Ho: Rho = 0 Percent Oil Lint Yield Seed Nakedness 0.92696 −0.12867 0.0001 0.7232 Turnout −0.73841 0.41342 0.0148 0.001

Table 6 shows the yarn quality for ring spun yarn 40Ne for selected naked seed mutants and their original parents. This data supports the commercial quality of the cotton products associated with the mutant lines.

TABLE 6 Yarn Quality for Ring Spun Yarn 40Ne for Some Naked Seed Mutants and Their Original Parents Count Strength Thin Thick Cultivars Product Elongation Tenacity Work CV Places Places N200 Hair Atlas 2140 5.9 13.0 317.0 20.0 158 958 642 5.0 Atlas-NS-129-2-1-1-1 2228 6.1 13.9 338.5 19.2 125 860 526 4.5 SC 9023 2240 6.1 13.8 340.4 18.8 101 735 466 4.4 SC 9023-NS-57-13-2-1 2312 6.3 13.8 347.2 18.0 68 582 375 4.3 Tejas 2192 5.9 13.7 318.2 19.3 144 852 535 4.5 Tejas-NS-28-13-3-1-1 2329 6.1 14.2 338.7 18.9 109 785 511 4.5

The lines carrying the naked seed mutation have reduced seed coat neps, potentially reduced short fiber content, improved yarn quality, and improved AFIS fiber maturity characteristics. Thus, the naked-tufted seed mutant may be critical to the development of ELS (Extra Long Staple) stripper varieties in Texas. It also appears this mutation could significantly reduce both the time and the energy required for ginning, oil extraction, and delinting of cottonseed. The superior fiber quality and improved energy efficiency obtained with the naked-tufted seed mutant will drive its rapid incorporation into new cultivars.

The naked-tufted seed mutant line of Gossypium hirsutum L., of the present invention, as developed from lines initially produced by chemical mutagenesis, therefore exhibits significantly reduced formation of linters on the surface of the cotton seed. In general, the lines carrying the naked seed mutation have reduced seed coat neps, reduced short fiber content, improved yarn quality, increased seed oil content, and improved AFIS fiber maturity. In addition, the naked-tufted seed of the mutant line significantly reduces the time and energy required for ginning, oil extraction, and reduces the need to delint the cotton seed prior to planting. Thus the mutant line of the present invention lends itself to incorporation into other well-adapted commercial cultivars of upland cotton to produce additional lines exhibiting the naked-tufted seed coat trait while continuing to produce commercially significant quantities of commercial quality fiber.

Although the present invention has been described in the terms of the foregoing preferred embodiments in conjunction with specific cultivars, plants, seeds, and seed products, this description has been provided by way of explanation only, and is not intended to be construed as a limitation of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize additional alternate embodiments of the present invention that might be directed to alternate cultivars, plants, seeds, and seed products. Such alternate choices for specific cultivars, where such are coincidental to the application of the methods, products, and resultant lines, do not necessarily depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

REFERENCES

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1. A cotton seed having a seed coat trait comprising a first surface area having a predominantly smooth (naked) surface and a second surface area having a tufted quantity of fiber, the first surface area being generally greater than the second surface area, the cotton seed from a mutant line of upland cotton developed by subjecting an established line of upland cotton seeds to chemical mutagenesis and selectively breeding mutant lines thereof to establish a phenotypic stable line exhibiting the seed coat trait while maintaining lint yield and percent lint when subjected to standard ginning processes.
 2. The cotton seed of claim 1 further having the characteristic of reduced linters on the surface of the seed coat.
 3. The cotton seed of claim 1 further having the characteristic of reduced seed coat neps (SCN) on the surface of the seed.
 4. The cotton seed of claim 1 further having the characteristic of reduced short length fibers associated with the seed coat.
 5. The cotton seed of claim 1 further having the characteristic of increased seed oil content.
 6. The cotton seed of claim 1 further having the characteristics of reduced linters on the surface of the seed, reduced seed coat neps (SCN) on the surface of the seed, reduced short length fibers associated with the seed, and increased seed oil content.
 7. A cotton plant which produces seeds having a seed coat trait comprising a first surface area having a predominantly smooth (naked) surface and a second surface area having a tufted quantity of fiber, the first surface area being generally greater than the second surface area, the cotton plant from a mutant line of upland cotton developed by subjecting an established line of upland cotton seeds to chemical mutagenesis and selectively breeding mutant lines thereof to establish a phenotypic stable line exhibiting the seed coat trait while maintaining lint yield and percent lint when subjected to standard ginning processes.
 8. The cotton plant of claim 7 wherein the produced seeds further have the characteristics of reduced linters on the surface of the seed, reduced seed coat neps (SCN) on the surface of the seed, reduced short length fibers associated with the seed, and increased seed oil content.
 9. A method for producing a cotton seed having a naked-tufted seed coat exhibiting reduced seed linters and reduced seed coat neps, the method comprising the steps of subjecting a line of Gossypium hirsutum L. seeds to chemical mutagenesis and selectively breeding mutant lines thereof to establish a phenotypic stable line.
 10. A Gossypium hirsutum L. seed product consisting of a substantially homogenous assemblage of cotton seeds having a seed coat trait comprising a first surface area having a predominantly smooth (naked) surface and a second surface area having a tufted quantity of fiber, the first surface area being generally greater than the second surface area, the seed product from a mutant line of Gossypium hirsutum L. developed by subjecting an established line of Gossypium hirsutum L. seeds to chemical mutagenesis and selectively breeding mutant lines thereof to establish a phenotypic stable line exhibiting the seed coat trait while maintaining lint yield and percent lint when subjected to standard ginning processes.
 11. The seed product of claim 10 wherein the seeds further have the characteristics of reduced linters on the surface of the seed, reduced seed coat neps (SCN) on the surface of the seed, reduced short length fibers associated with the seed, and increased seed oil content.
 12. A cotton line consisting of a substantially uniform population of Gossypium hirsutum L. plants which produce seeds having a seed coat trait comprising a first surface area having a predominantly smooth (naked) surface and a second surface area having a tufted quantity of fiber, the first surface area being generally greater than the second surface area, the cotton line from a mutant line of Gossypium hirsutum L. developed by subjecting an established line of Gossypium hirsutum L. seeds to chemical mutagenesis and selectively breeding mutant lines thereof to establish a phenotypic stable line exhibiting the seed coat trait while maintaining lint yield and percent lint when subjected to standard ginning processes.
 13. The cotton line of claim 12 wherein the seeds further have the characteristics of reduced linters on the surface of the seed, reduced seed coat neps (SCN) on the surface of the seed, reduced short length fibers associated with the seed, and increased seed oil content.
 14. A cotton plant according to claim
 12. 15. A cotton product comprising cotton fiber produced from a cotton line consisting of a substantially uniform population of Gossypium hirsutum L. plants which produce seeds having a seed coat trait comprising a first surface area having a predominantly smooth (naked) surface and a second surface area having a tufted quantity of fiber, the first surface area being generally greater than the second surface area, the cotton line from a mutant line of Gossypium hirsutum L. developed by subjecting an established line of Gossypium hirsutum L. seeds to chemical mutagenesis and selectively breeding mutant lines thereof to establish a phenotypic stable line exhibiting the seed coat trait while maintaining lint yield and percent lint when subjected to standard ginning processes.
 16. The cotton product of claim 15 wherein the seeds further have the characteristics of reduced linters on the surface of the seed, reduced seed coat neps (SCN) on the surface of the seed, reduced short length fibers associated with the seed, and increased seed oil content.
 17. A cotton product produced by a ginning process of mechanically separating cotton fibers from cotton seeds, the cotton fibers and cotton seeds produced from a cotton line consisting of a of a substantially uniform population of Gossypium hirsutum L. plants which produce seeds having a seed coat trait comprising a first surface area having a predominantly smooth (naked) surface and a second surface area having a tufted quantity of fiber, the first surface area being generally greater than the second surface area, the cotton line from a mutant line of Gossypium hirsutum L. developed by subjecting an established line of Gossypium hirsutum L. seeds to chemical mutagenesis and selectively breeding mutant lines thereof to establish a phenotypic stable line exhibiting the seed coat trait while maintaining lint yield and percent lint.
 18. A method for increasing commercial crop quality in target established lines of cotton by improving ginning efficiency while maintaining fiber yield, the method comprising the step of crossing the established cotton lines with a mutant line containing a naked-tufted seed coat phenotypic trait, the mutant line developed by subjecting an established line of Gossypium hirsutum L. seeds to chemical mutagenesis and selectively breeding mutant lines thereof to establish a phenotypic stable line exhibiting the naked-tufted seed coat trait while maintaining lint yield and percent lint when subjected to standard ginning processes.
 19. The method of claim 15 wherein the established target lines comprise lines of upland cotton plants.
 20. The method of claim 15 wherein the target established lines comprise additional lines of Gossypium hirsutum L. plants. 